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Selling vegetables as a business: opening your own store

Food products are essential products that are in high demand regardless of the season. This type of product includes vegetables and fruits. It is the high demand in this area that pushes many aspiring entrepreneurs to open such a business. Below we propose to consider where to start a vegetable business and carefully analyze the nuances of this market.

Vegetables and fruits are desirable and necessary products in the daily diet of any person.

Market Review

Fruits and vegetables are in high demand not only in summer, but also in the winter months. This category of products is rich in vitamins and nutrients necessary for the body. Despite the high demand at any time of the year, this business is seasonal. Such an enterprise generates its main income from early August to November.

It is very important that the sale of such products is often accompanied by various difficulties. When considering opening a grocery store, it is necessary to take into account the various difficulties associated with constant inspections by quality control authorities. That is why such an enterprise requires a thorough analysis of possible risks.

What to pay attention to

Before opening a retail outlet, it is necessary not only to draw up a business plan, but also to develop a business development strategy. In order for a store to become a source of constant income, many different nuances should be taken into account. It is equally important to attract the attention of a potential audience and win the favor of buyers.

Before opening a retail outlet, you should carefully study the proposed location. An open retail outlet should be convenient for visiting residents of the surrounding areas. In order to attract a potential audience, you need a rich and rich assortment. The interior of the store itself plays an important role.

You should also work out a strategy for attracting clients in advance. In order to increase your potential audience and not lose regular customers, you should sell only fresh and high-quality products. Poor quality of products is a sure way to lose the bulk of customers, which negatively affects daily profits.

What products are in high demand?

A profitable business selling vegetables and fruits is built on constant analysis of consumer needs. An interesting, popular and wide range is a real guarantee of the company’s profitability. When developing an enterprise development strategy, you should take into account the seasonal demand for various products. The offered assortment should include dozens of different items so that every potential buyer has the opportunity to choose.

Vegetable business is very popular in different localities

Speaking about seasonal preferences, it should be noted that in the winter months tangerines, lemons, apples, beets and potatoes are in high demand. In the summer months, the role of popular goods goes to berries, cherries, cherries, watermelons and melons. There is another category of goods that is popular regardless of the season. These items include onions, pumpkins, zucchini, eggplants and cauliflower.

A competent approach to assortment compilation and a thorough analysis of seasonal demand will not only increase income, but also significantly increase the coverage area of the potential audience.

Where to get the goods

There are several ways to obtain products, so at the stage of creating a business plan it is necessary to take into account how to obtain goods. Let's look at the main ways to obtain an assortment:

Purchasing from farmers. One of the most common ways to obtain the necessary goods. Most residents of villages and villages willingly enter into contracts for the supply of vegetables and fruits. This option involves a low level of investment in the purchase of goods.
Import. This method is most often used to purchase exotic products that are grown abroad. These foods include mangoes, kiwis, pineapples and bananas.
Own farm. One of the most expensive options, due to the need for a prepared plot of land. A similar method is used by various hypermarket chains. Here it is important to take into account that own farming is significantly limited due to climatic conditions.

The business plan of a vegetable store is based precisely on the method of obtaining goods. All of the above methods can be combined, which will significantly reduce the cost of purchasing certain goods.

Sales format

There are several formats for the appearance of a retail outlet. Below we suggest familiarizing yourself with various formats of retail outlets:

Tent at the market. In order to interest a potential buyer, it is necessary to have a wide and rich assortment. A tent at the market must attract the attention of the audience due to the high level of competition.
Selling from a car. This method is most often used by farmers who, after harvesting, export their products to markets and food fairs.
Stationary store. When opening such a point, you should take into account the future location of the store. It is very important that your store is located near residential areas and roadways. A small store should offer the buyer a rich assortment. In order to increase the number of regular customers, it is necessary to pay increased attention to the quality of the product.
Wholesale. The last option considers selling existing products to catering establishments or small retail outlets.

Selling fruits and vegetables involves many risks

Wholesale trade of fruits and vegetables as a business can become a source of constant profit and high income, taking into account the presence of certain connections. Useful contacts with the management of catering establishments will allow you to have a stable demand for your offer. Despite this, the most popular format for such a business is opening a full-fledged retail outlet.

Market analysis

Before opening a retail outlet, you should carefully analyze the market situation. Increased attention should be paid to possible competitors. An objective assessment of competitors' offers will allow you to correctly approach the assortment. Also, this business plan must take into account possible risks.

Such an analysis allows you to obtain a lot of information that will serve as a kind of foundation for your business. At the initial stage, the location and number of competitors should be determined. Next, you should analyze the demand for various categories of goods.

The target audience plays an important role in this matter. At the stage of market analysis, you should identify the possibility of supplying your future store with unique or rare goods.
A business plan for fruits and vegetables should be based on careful processing of competitors' offers. In order to interest the buyer, your store must offer services and products that competitors do not have.

Possible risks and benefits

It should be understood that, despite the profitability of this area of business, such an enterprise is always accompanied by certain risks. That is why, before opening a store, you should carefully weigh various factors that negatively affect business development.

One of the highest risks in this area is the short shelf life of the product range. If the received goods are not sold within the first week, then most products will lose their aesthetic appeal. Loss of marketability is one of the most common causes of losses. Competition also plays a significant role, so you need to constantly monitor the price dynamics of your competitors.

The goal of opening a retail outlet specializing in the sale of vegetables and fruits is to obtain high profits

The above risks, with the right approach to the organizational issue, can become a kind of advantage. The short shelf life of fruits and vegetables allows you to avoid renting a warehouse with a large area. You can also refuse significant investments in the purchase of large quantities of goods, and purchase the necessary products in small wholesale. At the initial stages of development, this approach allows you to assess audience demand.

The main advantage of this area of trade is that the products in question are always in demand regardless of the region. Also, the low cost of the offered range allows us to work for a wide audience.

Marketing Promotion

When considering the question of how to open a grocery store from scratch, it is necessary to highlight the importance of a marketing plan. The right approach to an advertising campaign allows you to attract the attention of the general public. To do this, it is necessary to equip the store with a bright sign. The aesthetic appearance of the room itself plays an important role.

To attract your first customers, you should organize the distribution of leaflets and arrange “discount” days. In order to increase the potential audience, the products offered must be of only high quality. In addition, the level of service is of no small importance.

Selecting the right room

At the stage of developing a business strategy, it is necessary to take into account the location of the future store. You should also take care in advance about suppliers and the purchase of various equipment. One of the most important aspects of development in this area is the correct choice of location for trade.

When opening a small store, factors such as distance from possible competitors and location close to a busy road should be taken into account. It is important that the store being opened is located within walking distance for residents of nearby residential areas. The main requirement for grocery stores is to be located on the ground floor. You should also take care in advance about placing bright outdoor advertising, so that at the equipping stage, the surrounding residents will look forward to the opening of the outlet.

Creating an interesting and in-demand assortment is the key to the profitability and prospects of any trading enterprise

Trading vegetables and fruits is a fairly common business. With the right approach to business, a vegetable stall can bring good income. There is an average level of competition in this market segment.

Start-up capital

When thinking about how to open a vegetable stall, calculate future expenses. The amount of investment may vary depending on the size of the locality. To open a vegetable stall in the regional center you will need approximately 500 thousand rubles. This amount includes the following expenses:

for opening and legalizing an enterprise, obtaining certificates from various government bodies - about 10 thousand rubles;
for renting a stall – from 40 thousand rubles;
for the purchase of equipment: slides, refrigerated display case, scales, cash register - 50 thousand rubles;
for equipment maintenance – 2 thousand rubles per month.

To start, you can buy used counters and slides. Partial refusal of hired labor will help you save money. Take on the responsibilities of a buyer or seller. Additional staff can be recruited after the promotion of the outlet. This way you will get to know the market from the inside, study your competitors, and feel all the nuances of your own business.

Decor

Select the form of doing business: individual entrepreneur or LLC. An individual entrepreneur opens faster; maintaining documentation does not require special knowledge. Fines for violations for individual entrepreneurs are less than for LLCs. But there is also greater responsibility: in case of failure, you will be personally responsible for all debts and fines of your enterprise. Opening an LLC is a more expensive and time-consuming process. You will need an accountant to keep records. However, the presence of an authorized capital in an LLC guarantees the inviolability of your personal savings. In the event of bankruptcy, funds from the authorized capital will be spent to satisfy the claims of creditors.

After registering your business activity, you will have to obtain permission to open a retail outlet. The easiest way would be to open a stall in the market. If you want to set up a kiosk near a stop or metro station, you will have to obtain permission from the building and architectural department. You will also need opinions from inspection commissions of sanitary, fire, and trade services. Be prepared for all sorts of bureaucratic tricks. Study the laws so that representatives of various structures do not take you by surprise.

Choosing a location and premises

Before opening a vegetable stall, draw up a business plan. Calculate how many visitors per day you will need to serve in order for your expenses to pay off. Then go outside, stand near the future retail outlet and count the people passing by. If the number of passers-by significantly exceeds the number of your potential buyers, feel free to open a stall in this place.

Options for placing a retail outlet:

near the metro or stop. To attract the attention of passers-by, work on outdoor advertising;
in a residential area. The stall will be open for regular customers living in the neighborhood.

Don't forget about transport links. Vegetables will need to be delivered to the kiosk somehow, right? It will be good if you manage to rent a warehouse located near the kiosk. In this case, you can purchase vegetables in large quantities and deliver them to the kiosk as needed. We are talking about shelf-stable vegetables. Perishable fruits will have to be purchased in small quantities. Conditions for storing products with a short shelf life can only be provided within the walls of special warehouse complexes.

Build a kiosk according to a good architectural design. No matter how much you want to save money, don’t discount your point of sale design.

The design can be ordered from freelancers. It’s very inexpensive, sometimes you can get it for just 500 rubles. It is best to use a specialized platform, for example, “I will perform”, where the process of interaction with performers will be simple and safe.

Modern buyers are accustomed to large counters, glass display cases, and good lighting. The purchasing process should be comfortable. Take care of the asphalt near the kiosk, equip a low stand for bags, and customer interest in your outlet will grow before your eyes.

Minimum equipment:

Work with suppliers and assortment

Try to find good suppliers. Make every effort to do this. Of course, you won’t be able to separate the “wheat from the chaff” right away. Therefore, purchase goods in small quantities. Over time, you will understand which partner is better to deal with. The ideal option is one permanent supplier who fully supplies your business with its products.

The following factors are important:

reputation of the supplier in your city,
origin of the goods,
taste qualities of fruits and vegetables,
availability of certificates of conformity.

Your main competitors will be points in markets and vegetable departments of supermarkets. Therefore, you must offer something different from the competition. Your vegetable stall will differ from a market outlet in terms of service and tidiness. The main advantage over supermarkets is the domestic origin of the products.

Offer your customers local tomatoes, cucumbers, apples, and pears. Find a dealer who specializes in the supply of berries and fruits from the southern regions. Complete the assortment with out-of-season bananas, oranges, and lemons. Add some exotic fruits. Offer your customers dried fruits, herbs, and juices. Place a small freezer with frozen fruit in your stall.

Staff

Is it worth opening a vegetable stall if you cannot personally control the process? No, it's not worth it. Vegetables and fruits are a business that you need to constantly keep in your hands. Once again, we strongly recommend saving on staff. Occupy at least one of the positions at your company. If you don’t want to trade, hire a seller and supply the goods yourself.

Experienced entrepreneurs advise personally handling deliveries. Some wholesalers offer goods with delivery. This option is not suitable for you. Having personally arrived at the wholesale warehouse, you can choose the product to your liking. In addition, delivery costs are often included in the price of the product. And they don’t just lay it down, but greatly increase it.

It will be good if at first you can personally control the trading process. The issue of control becomes especially relevant when the business goes beyond the family. Trading loves counting. No one will give you guarantees of the honesty of the hired seller. Therefore, try to be present at the point as often as possible. From time to time, trade on your own, replacing the seller at the stall. You may learn a lot about your employee from talkative customers.

Conduct re-registration periodically. Don’t skimp on your salary, otherwise no amount of inventory will help you. A person who earns little will still steal from you or “borrow” money from the cash register until payday. The optimal remuneration option is rate and percentage. This form of payment encourages the seller to work.

Profitability

The minimum markup on your product will be 30%, the maximum – about 250%. When setting the price, do not forget that vegetables and fruits tend to spoil. According to experts, about 10–20% of produce spoils at a vegetable stall. This product can be sold at a 50-60% discount before it becomes obsolete. Finally, spoiled products will have to be thrown away. It is estimated that the payback period for a stall ranges from 2 to 6 months, depending on the season. In winter, fruits and vegetables are in high demand, so investments pay off faster. After promotion, the business will bring in about 50–100 thousand rubles monthly.

The vegetable business, despite the crisis in the country, has been and remains a profitable way to make money. Fresh vegetables and fruits are in great demand among the population at any time of the year. It is especially profitable to trade produce from the garden in winter. The cost of fresh vegetables and fruits increases significantly in cold weather, and competition decreases, which is also a big plus for you as an entrepreneur.

In this article, we will discuss how to open a vegetable stall. Where to start and how to make a profit in a short time.

Start-up capital

First of all, you must find funds to start a vegetable business. Where can I get money? There are several options. Firstly, you can take out a loan from a bank, but you should think carefully about this. Secondly, you can borrow the required amount from acquaintances or friends; it is also quite possible to find companions and open a grocery store together. Thirdly, you can receive a certain amount of money from the state.

In order to receive money to develop your business, you must be registered with the employment service as unemployed, present salary certificates from previous jobs, and also provide the commission with a detailed business plan.

Business plan for a vegetable store

The profitability of an idea is the ratio of investments and timing of profit. You must determine the competition in this area of entrepreneurship and draw conclusions about the profitability of the project.

Business payback period. Everything will depend on the implementation of the idea. Perhaps you will start growing vegetables and fruits for sale yourself, and thus reduce the cost of purchasing goods. Or you will find profitable suppliers. In any case, the payback period will depend on the intensity of sales and the profitability of purchasing goods.

Paperwork

Opening a business requires the preparation of all documents and legal registration of its activities. First of all, you need to get permission from the municipality to set up a kiosk. In a small town this is easy to do, but in a big city some problems may arise. In large cities, installation of kiosks is carried out on the basis of a tender, take this nuance into account.

You must also obtain the appropriate permit from the local building and architectural authority.

In addition to permits, you will need to complete other documents. First, you need to decide on the material and legal form of the activity. You can register as an individual entrepreneur or a limited liability company. After this, it is necessary to obtain permits for activities from the sanitary and fire services.

Having completed the package of necessary documents, you can begin organizational issues.

Renting premises

In order to start selling vegetables and fruits, you need to rent a room for a future kiosk. The cost of monthly rent will depend on the location of the kiosk. It is advisable to choose places with high traffic volumes. As an option, you can rent a tent at the market or in the residential sector near high-rise buildings.

Stalls and tents have one important advantage - mobility. That is, you can move your point to another location at any time. With a store, it’s a little more complicated; you need to immediately assess the profitability of its location.

Purchase of commercial equipment

What do you need to open a stall? First of all, you need to equip your kiosk with everything necessary to sell vegetables.

Necessary equipment:

Scales for weighing products;
Cash machine;
Refrigerators for food storage;
Counters and display cases;

To save money, you can purchase used equipment. Finding it will not be difficult; look for advertisements in newspapers and on the Internet.

Assortment and supply of goods

Selling vegetables as a business is quite profitable, but requires wise implementation. Your task is to purchase goods at a low wholesale price and sell them at many times higher prices to consumers. But there are also some nuances here. As a rule, a cheap product is not of high quality, so you should set your priorities wisely. In order to adequately survive in the market, you must always sell fresh goods. Remember that reputation comes first, every client counts, because competition in this area of business is quite strong. Work only with trusted, regular suppliers. Do not purchase a lot of goods; it is better to agree on the supply of products several times a week, because vegetables are a perishable product that requires quick sale. Thus, you will always have fresh, undamaged goods, satisfied customers and good, stable profits.

Range

The main products at your kiosk will be fresh vegetables and fruits. In addition to seasonal products, you can also trade exotic fruits. You can also sell related products in the vegetable stall, for example, fresh herbs are in great demand among buyers: green onions, dill, parsley, lettuce.

Staff

To sell vegetables, you need to hire a staff of workers. For a small vegetable stall, it is enough to hire one seller and a loader. If possible, a cleaner is also required, but these functions can also be performed by a salesperson. At the initial stage, you can sell in your own vegetable shop, so you can save money and spend it on purchasing goods.

Don't forget to be polite. Sellers should be courteous to every buyer, not be rude or argue with them.

Selling vegetables and fruits as a business - the price of the issue

How much does it cost to open a vegetable stall? Let's calculate the costs together.

There is always a demand for food because people want to eat regardless of the economic situation in the country. Consequently, a business built on food trading will invariably generate income.

True, and competition in this area is quite high. But you can always find your niche, choose the most popular and at the same time not very common range of products among competitors.

What is the advantage of a vegetable kiosk

Selling vegetables and fruits is a very good choice. Small vegetable shops and kiosks are not very common, They tend to attract more buyers than vegetable departments in hypermarkets, because the kiosk receives products of a much smaller volume, which means they are fresher.

In addition, a stall or small store can sell products from local producers, and lately customers have tended to trust them more. And the owner of a vegetable stall can contact the manufacturer directly, bypassing wholesale warehouses and bases. This not only ensures quality, but also reduces costs.

Please note that this article will not discuss the amount of starting capital. The fact that it is necessary is already clear.

It also makes no sense to calculate costs at various stages of implementing a business plan. Firstly, they differ in different regions, and in the provinces and in the capital they are generally incomparable. Secondly, today’s life is such that data on the cost of a particular service or equipment becomes outdated already in the process of writing an article.

In addition to the inevitable costs, there are several problematic issues in the process of organizing trade in fresh vegetables and fruits.

Choosing a room and location

As for the premises, there are three options:

a small but full-fledged store, with a utility room, warehouse space, sales area, etc.;
a small kiosk in which goods are displayed in a display window where the seller is located and the buyer is on the street;
A fairly large stall or pavilion in which there is a retail space, and the buyer can examine the product in detail.

Each of these options has its own disadvantages and advantages, but if we are talking about a stall, then, of course, the third option is preferable. It is more convenient for both the seller and the buyer. But the kiosk has an undeniable advantage- it can be installed in the most convenient place.

Main factor, which should be taken into account when choosing a location is the density of human flow. To place a kiosk, you need to choose a busy place where there will not be a shortage of customers. It may be, for example, located near a metro stop or among high-rise buildings in a residential area. In the first case, a large flow of people is guaranteed, in the second - regular customers.

Solving organizational issues

In order to do so, first of all, it is necessary to register an individual entrepreneur or LLC (limited liability company).
Registering a cash register with the local tax authority.
Obtaining permission from the fire service and sanitary inspection.
Once all the documents have been collected, you should obtain official confirmation of the permit from the state trade commission.

Kiosk equipment

The equipment of any grocery outlet includes a number of necessary things:

cash machine;
scales;
refrigerator, and, if necessary, a refrigerator;
showcase;
counter.

A purchased or rented kiosk must not only meet sanitary requirements, but also look aesthetically pleasing and attractive to customers.

Care should also be taken to ensure that customers are not inconvenienced. Therefore, if trade is carried out from a window, it is necessary to arrange the area around the kiosk itself.

Goods and products

One of the most important tasks at this stage is the selection of suppliers. Vegetables and fruits are perishable goods, and their quality and attractiveness determine how successful trading will be.

Therefore, it is necessary to select the most reliable suppliers as soon as possible. At first, this can be difficult to do, and failures are inevitable. But gradually, unscrupulous suppliers will be eliminated, and productive business relationships will be established with those who supply quality goods.

Experts advise Be sure to be interested in the origin of vegetables and fruits, the conditions in which they were grown, and even taste them yourself.

The variety of goods is also of great importance; experts advise diversifying locally produced products with exotic fruits and vegetables. It would not hurt to establish trade in frozen vegetables and vegetable mixtures, which are quite popular among buyers, especially in winter.

In order to open and equip a vegetable kiosk, of course, considerable financial expenses, time and effort will be required. But judging by the reviews and statements of marketers, a business such as selling fresh vegetables brings in a stable income.

The vegetable business is considered attractive by many businessmen. This is explained by the demand for products among the broad masses of the population, and the receipt of good profits from the sale of goods: one small stall or store can bring in about $3,000 a month, and the amount increases significantly in the winter season. The quick payback is due to insignificant investments for a large business - approximately $20,000.

Organizing your own business and documents

Before opening a grocery store, you should complete all the necessary paperwork required for the business in question. Where to begin? It is required to register an individual entrepreneur, collect all documents for the fire inspection, as well as the Sanitary and Epidemiological Station. The tax office will need to obtain permission to use the selected premises for trade. The simplest option, from the point of view of paperwork, for opening a vegetable business is a tent, for example, in the market. You will definitely need permission from the Department of Construction and Architectural Works if you plan to open a tent near a metro station or bus stop. Do not forget about the conclusion of trade services.

Many entrepreneurs advise opening several points around the city in order to reduce costs. A visit to the warehouse is also a must. The reduction in financial costs is due to the following:

Increasing the volume of purchases;
The ability to monitor the operation of each object, optimizing the entire trading process;
Reducing costs to a minimum in every department.

A business selling vegetables from scratch is impossible without the appropriate commercial equipment. These are freezers, refrigerated display cases, good scales and a cash register. In addition, you will need slides, various display cases and sales counters.

Location of the vegetable stall

Setting up a vegetable stall at a local market is not the best option for starting a successful business due to high competition. Experts recommend choosing a location located close to large residential complexes. The department can be rented in a large multi-storey building; most of the residential complexes are new buildings, the first floors of which are empty. You can put up a tent near bus stops, since people will definitely come in after work hours to buy fresh vegetables.

When determining where to start, you should first take into account the fact that the minimum area of the room should be about 40–50 square meters. m. The form of organization is an equally important issue. There are two ways:

The operation is similar to a “mini market”, where the buyer himself chooses the desired product and pays for it at the cashier.
Traditional selling: contacting a salesperson to obtain products.

The first method is more optimal for both the entrepreneur and the buyer. People like to choose the goods and their quantity themselves, they do not want to stand in line, etc. A businessman will be in the “plus”, since with this form it is possible to serve many more clients.

Wide range of grocery store

Successful sale of vegetables must be based on working with proven and reliable suppliers, and this requires certain experience. It is important to consider the reputation of the farmer who delivers the vegetables to the tent. It is necessary to clarify information about the conditions for growing vegetables and territorial features. All products must have a certificate of conformity; anything that is not suitable for consumption should not be offered to customers.

In order to attract buyers to the vegetable stall, you can purchase exotic goods, but not too expensive, since the demand, for example, in new residential areas for these products may be small. The wider the assortment in the department, the more people will come. In addition, customers are always pleased if the room smells pleasant, so any spoiled products should be carefully monitored. Selling in a stall or your own small shop must be carefully thought out: everything that is best and attractive must be placed in the most visible place; it is good if, in addition to fresh goods, frozen or canned products are also offered. Some make it their “highlight” to sell juices squeezed in front of the buyer.

Investments at the beginning

A small vegetable department will cost half a million rubles. This amount includes the following: Start-up investments directly depend on the locality in which you plan to open a tent or vegetable store. According to statistical data, in a large regional center:

Rent of premises - no less than 30,000–40,000 rubles;
Purchase of necessary equipment - about 60,000 rubles;
Expenses for registration of mandatory documents – 8,000–10,000 rubles;
Maintenance of purchased equipment – 3,000 rubles. monthly.

You can save money by purchasing already used equipment or by working first as a seller and buyer, refusing to hire personnel. With successful development, you can safely hire employees.

Revenues, direct expenses and profitability

Before opening a vegetable stall, tent or department selling vegetables, you need to draw up a business plan yourself or seek help from specialists. On average, this type of business can bring in up to $3,000 per month, and if there are many outlets, then the profit increases accordingly.

When determining possible costs, it is necessary to take into account the costs of transporting products, including the work of loaders and fuel. Writing off the goods will cost about 3,000 rubles, paying taxes - 30,000 rubles, plus monthly rent - from 40,000 rubles.

The business in question will pay for itself in an average of six months; some entrepreneurs return the money within 2 months after opening. Selling vegetables is a seasonal business: in winter, products are more expensive, which is reflected in the overall profit. With proper promotion and organization, this business will generate high income and prosper for many years to come.